Contract picks Rana Barua as COO

JWT South Asia today announced the appointment of Rana Barua as the COO of Contract Advertising, India.

Rana succeeds Umesh Shrikhande, who recently left to pursue other opportunities.

An innovative brand and marketing communications professional and a thought leader with over 19 years of management experience, Rana Barua joins from Law & Kenneth, where he was the COO.

“Rana has diverse management experience with a proven track record that makes him an ideal choice for Contract, one of India’s leading independent integrated advertising agencies”, said Colvyn Harris, CEO JWT South Asia. “I am confident that Rana with his experience across advertising and integrated brand solutions will ensure that Contract continues to be a very successful agency.”

He will partner the senior leadership team at Contract to ensure the best value proposition for some of India’s leading blue chip companies.

“I am excited with the opportunity of being a part of the Contract story. It is a wonderful time for our industry as it continues to evolve so rapidly. Contract is uniquely positioned to take advantage of this and I am confident I will be able to facilitate this process by partnering with the senior management team", says Rana Barua on his appointment.


“Contract has always been an attractive destination for people who are passionate about creativity and process of brand building. Rana with his diverse experience will add value to Contract and will help take the journey ahead. We look forward to having him on board”, said Ravi Deshpande, Chairman and CCO, Contract

He was recently the COO of Law & Kenneth.  In his earlier assignments, Rana was the COO of RED FM and the Head of Marketing for Radio City where he successfully repositioned the radio station to make it amongst the top two stations in the country. He started his career in advertising having worked at HTA (JWT), Ogilvy, McCann & Y&R.

His category experience includes working with brands like Renault, eBay, ING Life, Godrej, Reckitt Benckiser, J&J, Gillette Parker, Microsoft, HP, Tata Tea, Zydus Cadila, Levers, Tata AIG & AIA, Marico, Virgin Atlantic and ITC amongst others.